Hey folks, 

Now that we have had a little bit of time with this new section of trail, it's become pretty apparent that we aren't going to be able to solve the moisture problem in a certain area in the woods.  The best option in this area is going to be to building a raised platform like the one out at Sherman.  We walked it off and it's going to be about 45-50 feet worth.  

So we're going to need to find some wood planks to make that happen.  Does anyone have a line on some scrap wood from an old deck or other demolition project that we could use to make that happen?  Any ideas on how we can come up with the materials to make it happen would be welcome.

I'm demoing a hot tub deck in the SouthPark area at our new place.  There is some treated lumber associated with that.  I don't have a truck, and was going to rent/borrow one just to send it to the dump.  I'd rather see it be put to good use.

If interested, I can get some pics of the wood pile tonight.  I work in Concord so would love to see the old deck go to something I might use...

Mark, cedar is nature's treated wood and any extras would always be welcome.  Rough cut is perfect for extra grip in wet conditions.  We can talk more at the NICA race this weekend.


Bikin Dad wrote on 03/15/18 at 1:29pm:

Will you give me a call before you starting planning/building any bridges or wooden structures at Harrisburg, please?  The club has guidelines for those kinds of features that I need to get you up to speed on.   

We only use new, pressure treated lumber for bridges and features. The club has money to fund these projects.   

Thanks!

Mark Sullivan
club Treasurer
704-900-4730

We ran into the same problem with the connector trail at Renni and built a similar bridge in early '16. It came out perfect. Here's the thread: 

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There used to be photos but it looks like photobucket dropped them. Maybe Doc00t still has them. The design was similar to what you find at Sherman, but I liked the one we built better because it was slightly elevated and had a really nice lead in and exit that helped you keep speed up.Also kept the moisture underneath from messing with the wood.   

You're going to be looking for some telephone poles too... 

FourMat wrote on 03/15/18 at 6:22pm:

Build it in sections and connect the sections at the support areas.  I've had great success with 10"-12" Timerlok/Headlok screws and 3.5" deck screws.

We discussed that approach, but it's a remote section of the trail without any real way to even get a wheelbarrow out there. In terms of work per foot of trail, it would be easier to prefab some sections and carry them through where we have to go with it.   

We also talked about raising it with dirt, but we have to get the dirt from somewhere and any place relatively easy would leave a stagnant water filled indentation in the area we are talking about.  Rather not have a skeeter breeding ground.

Zakaraia Hermes wrote on 03/16/18 at 12:37pm:



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Now that's using the ol' noggin.  I'm just flabbergasted how you don't have your own sweet mountain bike club already with quality ideas like this,  Well at any rate, keep the great ideas flowing! 

That would be good to get another opinion, and we'll need to get up with TC Jason on it also.  I'll be gone all weekend to the NICA race out east, but will be back around next week.  I think we need to do something about it sooner than later because it is really a mess.

worker-rider wrote on 03/16/18 at 6:34pm: